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The United States is a party to The Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-Operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. We receive questions routinely from families that reside overseas asking if they can adopt domestically from the United States.

If a United States citizen resides overseas, either because they are ex-pats or in the military, can they adopt domestically in the United States? The United States Department of State has issued guidance on this matter.

FAQs: Identifying an Outgoing Case

What if a State court has a question about the status of an outgoing case for the
Central Authority of the receiving country?

The Department can work directly with the Central Authorities of receiving countries to try to resolve any questions about whether or not an outgoing case may be treated as a domestic adoption or a Convention adoption as well as to resolve other case-specific questions. However, State authorities are encouraged to contact the Central Authority of the Convention-receiving country directly. The Central Authority contact information is on the Hague Conference- Private International Law website Authorities page.

How do you determine whether the Convention applies in a case involving U.S. citizen prospective adoptive parent(s) residing abroad who seek to adopt a child resident in the United States?

U.S. citizen prospective adoptive parents should consult the Central Authority in the convention country where they live for a determination of habitual residence. The Convention country in which a U.S. citizen’s prospective adoptive parent is living may determine the U.S.citizen to be habitually resident in that country such that the citizen should follow a Convention process in order for a U.S. resident child to legally enter and reside in that country. As noted, the State court should defer to any such determination by a foreign Central Authority.

Would the U.S. Convention process apply in adoption cases where a U.S. citizen living in a Convention country is considered not to be resident in that country and is seeking to adopt a child resident in the United States?

If the Central Authority in the Convention country in which a U.S. citizen’s prospective adoptive parent is living determines they are not habitually resident in that country, the U.S. citizen may be able to process a domestic adoption in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations of the U.S. State where the adoption takes place. The prospective adoptive parent should ensure the child will be able to enter and reside with the prospective adoptive parent in the country in which they reside.

What about military and other U.S. government employees stationed abroad?

In determining the application of the Convention, absent specific provisions of foreign law, the habitual residence of military or other U.S. government employees stationed overseas is addressed in the same way as that of other U.S. citizens.

More about Daneille:

Daneille joined Heart of Adoptions Alliance, Inc. in 2003 and works in the Naples office, handling the social work and legal needs of our clients in Southwest Florida.   She has been providing support and guidance to adoptive families since 1997 prior to joining the agency.   She was instrumental in opening a Guatemalan incoming program and assisted in creating many families before the country closed to international adoptions.   Daneille is experienced in domestic and international adoptions.  She is responsible for assisting in educating and screening new applicants, supervising birth parent counselors, home studies, post placements, and matches between birth and adoptive families. Daneille is also a licensed private investigator in the State of Florida.

Daneille has been working in the legal system since 1983 and received her paralegal certificate of completion from Florida International University in 1986.  She received her Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) status in 1987 from the National Association of Legal Assistants and in 1988 from the Florida Association of Legal Assistants.  Daneille is also a Florida Registered Paralegal.   Daneille received an Associate in Arts Degree in Criminology from Edison Community College in 1996 and received a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Criminology from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2006.

National Foster Care Month is in full bloom, and at Heart of Adoptions we love every adoption story. Each foster-to-adopt journey is as unique as the families who make the decision to venture down this path. As a Florida adoption agency, we get asked many questions about our foster-to-adopt program, Hearts to Home. This program is designed to give children ages 3 and older a chance at a loving forever home.  Sometimes we have prospective parents that call us and are hesitant about the process because of the many myths that are commonly believed as truths.

Myth One: Adoption from Foster Care is expensive.

This is simply not true. Adopting from foster care is typically less expensive than domestic infant adoption. There is also an abundance of resources and grants available to families looking to adopt from the child welfare system, especially for those interested in adopting children with special needs.

Myth Two: I’m a single man or woman, and I won’t be able to adopt on my own.

Love comes in all forms. Whether you’re single person, an LBGTQIA couple, an older couple, an ethnically diverse couple, a family with children of their own, etc you are able to adopt from foster care. These children are searching for loving homes and there is no secret formula or ‘look’ for the perfect family. All families are unique and beautiful, and we wouldn’t have it any other way!

Myth Three: If I adopt from foster care, I’m afraid the child’s birth parents will take them back.

This is simply not true. There are children in the foster care system who are available for adoption. In many of these cases, the birth parents or a judge has terminated the parental rights, allowing the child to become available for adoption. Once you sign the adoption papers, that child is your family forever.

Myth Four: I don’t know anyone who has been through the foster to adopt process. I won’t have any support or friends who understand.

With our Hearts to Home program, you are never alone. Our caseworkers are here for you every step of the way. There are many support groups and organizations that they can get you in touch with for help and resources. There is also required training where you can meet other potential adoptive parents

Myth Five: I don’t have any training for managing older children. I won’t know what to do if I foster to adopt.

Before you can adopt from foster care, each intended parent is required to go through training. Our trauma-linked Caregiving Course is a 6-week long program that helps each prospective adoptive parent understand and learn about the child welfare system and some of the challenges and struggles the children are facing in the system. These classes give you resources and tools to use as a parent and help you understand different ways children might cope with their hardships.

We hope we have dispelled some common myths about fostering to adopt. Those who have adopted from foster care describe what a fulfilling and love-filled experience it has been in their lives. We urge you to research every prospective foster to adopt program thoroughly so that you are prepared and can make an informed decision.

If you are interested in adoption from foster care, you can sign up for our free information classes here. You can also contact us with any questions at 1-800-GO-ADOPT.

The statistics are heartbreaking.

1 in 8 in the U.S.
1 in 6 in Canada
1 in 7 in the U.K.
1 in 4 worldwide.

These statistics reflect the number of people affected by infertility according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And while not uncommon throughout the world, many people endure this pain in silence.

You are not Alone.

The purpose of National Infertility Awareness Week is to shed light on the subject. It’s allowing real people to have open, honest, and informed discussions regarding infertility.

Why is this important?

Speaking out about your own experiences is widely known to have many benefits. Talking about your frustrations and your fears allows others to know what you are feeling and how this may be affecting your everyday life. This gives the people who love you an opportunity to step forward and support you every step of the way.

Sharing your story with others can help those who are suffering silently. You could be the reason someone else doesn’t feel alone and isolated. Infertility infiltrates the heart and can have a devastating impact on the mind. Spreading awareness and speaking openly about infertility has the ability to extend a helping hand to those in need.

If you or someone you know needs someone to speak to regarding infertility, the RESOLVE helpline has trained volunteers who have experience with infertility and can help to navigate available resources.

There are many ways to build a family.

IVF Treatments.

In Vitro Fertilization is often a method used to help assist with fertility. Learn more about IVF treatments here.

Adoption.

Adoption is a powerful and amazing journey. Interested in adopting a baby or seeking to adopt a child from foster care? There are so many options and resources that are available to you and your family. Call 1-800-GO-ADOPT for more information.

Gestational Surrogacy.

With Gestational Surrogacy, an embryo created through IVF is transferred into the uterus of the Gestational Surrogate.  The egg and sperm used to create the embryo may come from both intended parents or it may come from intended parents and donors. Click here to learn more about growing your family through Gestational Surrogacy.

Additional Articles surrounding infertility

Infertility warriors gather for support

Infertility Awareness Week: Author Amy Klein shares her heartfelt journey to have a baby

Why Americans lack adequate access to fertility treatments